Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T03:44:52.843Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

RESEARCH ARTICLE: Coastal Flood-Risk Management Practice in Tai O, a Town in Hong Kong

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 September 2013

Faith Ka Shun Chan ,
Olalekan A. Adekola ,
Cho Nam Ng ,
Gordon Mitchell  and
Adrian T. McDonald
Faith Ka Shun Chan*
Affiliation:
Research Associate, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom; and Lecturer, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, University Nottingham, Ningbo, China
Olalekan A. Adekola
Affiliation:
Postgraduate Researcher, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
Cho Nam Ng
Affiliation:
Associate Professor, Department of Geography, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
Gordon Mitchell
Affiliation:
Senior Lecturer, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
Adrian T. McDonald
Affiliation:
Professor, School of Geography, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
*
Faith Ka Shun Chan, Department of Geographical Sciences, University of Nottingham, Ningbo Campus, 199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo, China; (phone and fax) +86-574-881-80175; (e-mail) [email protected]
Get access

Abstract

Coastal megadeltas in Asia have emerged rapidly; their megacities are particularly stressed by urbanization and rapid population growth. In the Pearl River Delta, towns in coastal megacities, such as Hong Kong, experience severe land shortage, which has led to the installation of essential infrastructure in flood-prone areas. Floods from the storm surge of two recent storms, Typhoons Hagupit and Koppu in 2008 and 2009, respectively, damaged over 100 properties in the Tai O, Hong Kong. Although projected sea-level rise and frequent storms pose a serious threat for the foreseeable future, flood management is inadequately understood by the various stakeholders in Tai O. Based on interviews of 22 stakeholders related to flood-risk management in Tai O, this article highlights the similarities and differences in the prevailing perceptions of coastal flood management practices. In addition, the report highlights the need for urgent attention so as to establish an integrated coastal flood-risk management strategy that will involve all stakeholders in mitigating the emerging flood vulnerability of the coastal communities.

Environmental Practice 15:201–219 (2013)

Type
Features
Information
Environmental Practice , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , September 2013 , pp. 201 - 219
Copyright
Copyright © National Association of Environmental Professionals 2013 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Bailey, A. 2010. Population Geographies and Climate Change. Progress in Human Geography 3(5):686–695.Google Scholar
Balica, S.F., Wright, N.G., and Meulen, F.. 2012. A Flood Vulnerability Index for Coastal Cities and Its Use in Assessing Climate Change Impacts. Natural Hazards 64(1):73–105.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Census and Statistics Department (C&SD). 2007. Hong Kong 2006 Population by Census: Summary Results. C&SD, Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong, 115 pp. Available at http://www.censtatd.gov.hk/hkstat/sub/sp440.jsp?productCode=B1120036.Google Scholar
Chan, F.K.S., Loh, C., MacDonald, A., Mitchell, G., and Adekola, O.. 2010, November. Rich Delta, Costly Flooding. Civic Exchange, Hong Kong, 23 pp. Available at http://www.civic-exchange.org/wp/rich-delta-costly-flooding/.Google Scholar
Chan, F.K.S., Mitchell, G., Adekola, O., and McDonald, A.. 2012. Flood Risk in Asia's Urban Mega-deltas: Drivers, Impacts and Response. Environment and Urbanization ASIA 3(1):41–61.Google Scholar
Chan, K.-W., Tam, K.-F., and Leung, Y.-H.. 2009. Integrated Planning and Design of a Flood Relief Project for Sheung Wan Low-Lying Area. Drainage Services Department, Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong, 14 pp. Available at http://www.dsd.gov.hk/EN/Files/DOC/121.pdf.Google Scholar
Chui, S.K., Leung, J.K.Y., and Chu, C.K.. 2006. The Development of a Comprehensive Flood Prevention Strategy for Hong Kong. International Journal of River Basin Management 4(1):5–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Chung, H. 2011. Heritage Conservation and the Search for a New Governing Approach in Hong Kong. Environment and Planning C: Government and Policy 29(6):975–989.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Church, J.A., and White, N.J.. 2011. Sea-Level Rise from the Late 19th to the Early 21st Century. Surveys in Geophysics 32(4-5):585–602.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Dawson, R.J., Ball, T., Werritty, J., Werritty, A., Hall, J.W., and Roche, N.. 2011. Assessing the Effectiveness of Non-structural Flood Management Measures in the Thames Estuary under Conditions of Socio-economic and Environmental Change. Global Environmental Change 21(2):628–646.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). 2007, February 19. Development and Flood Risk: A Practice Guide Companion to PPS25 ‘Living Draft’—A Consultation Paper. DCLG, London, 128 pp. Available at http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20120919132719/http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/324694.pdf.Google Scholar
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). 2004, July. Making Space for Water: Developing a New Government Strategy for Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management in England—A Consultation Exercise. Defra, London, 154 pp. Available at http://www.met.reading.ac.uk/~sws00rsp/teaching/consultation[1].pdf.Google Scholar
Drainage Service Department (DSD). 2000, December. Stormwater Drainage Manual: Planning, Design and Management, 3rd edition. DSD, Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong, 107 pp. Available at http://www.dsd.gov.hk/TC/Files/publications_publicity/other_publications/technical_manuals/Stormwater%20Manual.pdf.Google Scholar
Drainage Service Department (DSD). 2009. 2009–2010 Annual Report. DSD, Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong. Available at http://www.dsd.gov.hk/EN/Files/annual_reports/0910/.Google Scholar
Dryland, E., and Syed, J.. 2010. Tai O Village: Vernacular Fisheries Management or Revitalization? International Journal of Cultural Studies 13(6):616–636.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Environment Agency. 2009, April. Thames Estuary 2100: Managing Flood Risk through London and the Thames Estuary. TE (Thames Estuary) 2100 Plan Consultation Document. Environment Agency, London, 214 pp. Available at http://www.medway.gov.uk/pdf/TE2100_PlanConsultationDocumentExclZones6-7.pdf.Google Scholar
Environment Agency. 2012. Principles for Implementing Flood and Coastal Resilience Funding Partnerships. Environment Agency, Bristol, UK, 27 pp. Available at http://a0768b4a8a31e106d8b0-50dc802554eb38a24458b98ff72d550b.r19.cf3.rackcdn.com/LIT_6696_f143f7.pdf.Google Scholar
Environmental Protection Department (EPD). 2010, December. A Study of Climate Change in Hong Kong: Feasibility Study—Final Report. Agreement CE 45/2007 (EP). EPD, Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong, 78 pp. Available at http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/climate_change/files/1_CC_Final_Report_Eng.pdfGoogle Scholar
Ericson, J.P., Vörösmarty, C.J., Dingman, S.L., Ward, L.G., and Meybeck, M.. 2006. Effective Sea-Level Rise and Deltas: Causes of Change and Human Dimension Implications. Global and Planetary Change 50(1-2):63–82.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Guo, H., Simpson, I.J., Ding, A.J., Wang, T., Saunders, S.M., Wang, T.J., Cheng, H.R., Barletta, B., Meinardi, S., Blake, D.R., and Rowland, F.S.. 2010. Carbonyl Sulfide, Dimethyl Sulfide and Carbon Disulfide in the Pearl River Delta of Southern China: Impact of Anthropogenic and Biogenic Sources. Atmospheric Environment 44(31):3805–3813.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hanson, S., Nicholls, R.J., Ranger, N., Hallegatte, S., Corfee-Morlot, J., Herweijer, C., and Chateau, J.. 2011. A Global Ranking of Port Cities with High Exposure to Climate Extremes. Climatic Change 104(1):89–111.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hong Kong Legislative Council (HKLC). 2010a, June 2. Item for Public Works Subcommittee of Finance Committee: Head 707—New Towns and Urban Area Development. Recreation, Culture and Amenities—Open Spaces 417RO—Improvement Works at Tai O. Hong Kong: Hong Kong Legislative Council. PWSC(2010-11)8. HKLC, Hong Kong, 14 pp. Available at http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr09-10/english/fc/pwsc/papers/p10-08e.pdf.Google Scholar
Hong Kong Legislative Council (HKLC). 2010b, April 27. Legislative Council Panel on Development Meeting: PWP Item 417RO—Improvement Works at Tai O. CB(1)1632/09-10(01). HKLC, Hong Kong, 9 pp. Available at http://www.legco.gov.hk/yr09-10/english/panels/dev/papers/devcb1-1632-1-e.pdf.Google Scholar
Hudson, P.F., Middelkoop, H., and Stouthamer, E.. 2008. Flood Management along the Lower Mississippi and Rhine Rivers (The Netherlands) and the Continuum of Geomorphic Adjustment. Geomorphology 101(1-2):209–236.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hui, E.C.M., and Yu, K.H.. 2009. Residential Mobility in an Era of Economic Transformations and Population Reformations: A Case Study of Hong Kong. Habitat International 33(4):445–453.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jim, C.Y. 2010. The Protected Area System: Nature Conservation for a Liveable and Sustainable City. In A New Geography of Hong Kong, Jim, C.Y., Li, S.M. and Fung, T., eds. Cosmos Books, Hong Kong, 203–263.Google Scholar
Kaujalgi, S.G. 2010. Introducing Mangrove Mitigation to the Urban Development in Mumbai (unpublished master's thesis). Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, 86 pp. Available at http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/theses/available/etd-12202010-013329/.Google Scholar
Lands Department. 2012. Topographic Map of Hong Kong. Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong, 1 p. Available at http://www.landsd.gov.hk/mapping/en/download/download/map/hm200le.jpg.Google Scholar
Lavery, S., and Donovan, B.. 2005. Flood Risk Management in the Thames Estuary Looking Ahead 100 Years. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London Series A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences 363(1831):1455–1474.Google Scholar
Lee, B.Y., Wong, W.T., and Woo, W.C.. 2010. Sea-Level Rise and Storm Surge—Impacts of Climate Change on Hong Kong. Hong Kong Observatory, Hong Kong, 8 pp. Available at http://203.129.68.38/publica/reprint/r915.pdf.Google Scholar
Li, X., and Damen, M.C.J.. 2010. Coastline Change Detection with Satellite Remote Sensing for Environmental Management of the Pearl River Estuary, China. Journal of Marine Systems 82(Suppl. 1):S54–S61.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lonsdale, K., Downing, T., Nicholls, R., Parker, D., Vafeidis, A., Dawson, R., and Hall, J.. 2008. Plausible Responses to the Threat of Rapid Sea-Level Rise in the Thames Estuary. Climatic Change 91(1):145–169.Google Scholar
Ma, X. 2012. The Integration of the City-Region of the Pearl River Delta. Asia Pacific Viewpoint 53(1):97–104.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McLean, S., and Watson, P.. 2009. A Practical Approach to Development of Housing on Floodplain Land in the UK. Journal of Building Appraisal 4(4):311–320.Google Scholar
Meehl, G.A., Covey, C., Taylor, K.E., Delworth, T., Stouffer, R.J., Latif, M., McAvaney, B., and Mitchell, J.F.B.. 2007. The WCRP CMIP3 Multimodel Dataset: A New Era in Climate Change Research. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 88(9):1383–1394.Google Scholar
Merrell, W.J., Reynolds, L.G., Cardenas, A., Gunn, J.R., and Hufton, A.J.. 2011. The Ike Dike: A Coastal Barrier Protecting the Houston/Galveston Region from Hurricane Storm Surge. In Macro-engineering Seawater in Unique Environments: Arid Lowlands and Water Bodies Rehabilitation, Badescu, V. and Cathcart, R.B., eds. Springer, Heidelberg, Germany, 691–716.Google Scholar
Mimura, N., Shikida, A., and Yamao, M.. 2008. Policy for Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Coastal Zone Asia-Pacific Coasts and Their Management. Coastal Systems and Continental Margins 11:173–253.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
News.gov.hk. 2009, April 28. Emergency Response Plan for Flooding in Tai O. Hong Kong Government Press Release. Available at http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200904/28/P200904280230.htm.Google Scholar
News.gov.hk. 2011, July 6. Inter-departmental Drill on Emergency Response to Flooding in Tai O. Hong Kong Government Press Release. Available at http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/201304/30/P201304300559.htm.Google Scholar
Ng, M.K. 2012. A Critical Review of Hong Kong's Proposed Climate Change Strategy and Action Agenda. Cities 29(2):88–98.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nicholls, R.J. 1995. Coastal Mega-cities and Climate Change. GeoJournal 37(3):369–379.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nicholls, R.J. 2011. Planning for the Impacts of Sea Level Rise. Oceanography 24(2):144–157.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Penning-Rowsell, E., Johnson, C., and Tunstall, S.. 2006. ‘Signals’ from Pre-crisis Discourse: Lessons from UK Flooding for Global Environmental Policy Change? Global Environmental Change 16(4):323–339.Google Scholar
Pfeffer, W. T., Harper, J. T., and O'Neel, S.. 2008. Kinematic Constraints on Glacier Contributions to 21st-Century Sea-Level Rise. Science 321(5894):1340–1343.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pitt, Sir M. 2008. Learning Lessons from the 2007 Floods. Environment Agency, Rotherham, UK. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/research/library/publications/33889.aspx.Google Scholar
Planning Department. 2000. Study on Revitalization of Tai O: Recommended Revitalisation Strategy—Public Consultation Report. Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong. Available at http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/p_study/comp_s/tai_o/a-web-consultation/taio-public.htm.Google Scholar
Planning Department. 2002. Study on Revitalisation of Tai O: Recommended Revitalisation Strategy. Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong. Available at http://www.pland.gov.hk/pland_en/p_study/comp_s/tai_o/a-web-recommendation/taio-frame.htm.Google Scholar
Schanze, J., Zeman, E., and Marsalek, J., eds. 2006. Flood Risk Management: Hazards, Vulnerability and Mitigation Measures. Springer, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 330 pp.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Seto, K.C. 2011. Exploring the Dynamics of Migration to Mega-delta Cities in Asia and Africa: Contemporary Drivers and Future Scenarios. Global Environmental Change 21(S1):S94–S107.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Siu, B. 2009. Storm-Hit Tai O to Get Flood Texts. Standard (Hong Kong), April 29. Available at http://www.thestandard.com.hk/archive_news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=81480&sid=23641171&con_type=1&archive_d_str=20090429.Google Scholar
Solomon, A., Qin, D., Manning, M., Marquis, M., Averyt, K., Tignor, M.M.B., Miller, H.L. Jr., and Chen, Z., eds., for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). 2007. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis—Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC. Nature Publishing, New York, 996 pp. Available at https://www.ipcc-wg1.unibe.ch/publications/wg1-ar4/wg1-ar4.html.Google Scholar
Standard (Hong Kong). 2009, February 4. Flood Relief from $200m Pump Station. http://www.thestandard.com.hk/archive_news_search_resu.asp?d_str=20090204&page=3.Google Scholar
Syvitski, J. 2008. Deltas at Risk. Sustainability Science 3(1):23–32.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Syvitski, J.P.M., and Saito, Y.. 2007. Morphodynamics of Deltas under the Influence of Humans. Global and Planetary Change 57(3-4):261–282.Google Scholar
United Nations (UN)-HABITAT. 2008. State of the World's Cities 2008/2009—Harmonious Cities. UN, Nairobi, 224 pp.Google Scholar
Vermeer, M., and Rahmstorf, S.. 2009. Global Sea Level Linked to Global Temperature. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 106(51):21527–21532.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wai, H.G., for the Hong Kong Observatory. 1990. The Analysis and Prediction of Tides at Chi Ma Wan, Ko Lau Wan, Lok On Pai, Tai O, Tsim Bei Tsui and Waglan Island. Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong, 36 pp.Google Scholar
Wang, T., Guo, H., Blake, D., Kwok, Y., Simpson, I., and Li, Y.. 2005. Measurements of Trace Gases in the Inflow of South China Sea Background Air and Outflow of Regional Pollution at Tai O, Southern China. Journal of Atmospheric Chemistry 52(3):295–317.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ward, P., Marfai, M., Yulianto, F., Hizbaron, D., and Aerts, J.. 2011. Coastal Inundation and Damage Exposure Estimation: A Case Study for Jakarta. Natural Hazards 56(3):899–916.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wilby, R.L., and Keenan, R.. 2012. Adapting to Flood Risk under Climate Change. Progress in Physical Geography 36(3):348–378.Google Scholar
Wong, J.C.F., and Shaw, R., for the Civil Engineering and Development Department, Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO). 2009. High-Level Coastal Deposits in Hong Kong. GEO Report 243. GEO, Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong, 47 pp.Google Scholar
Woo, W.C., and Wong, W.T.. 2010. Sea-Level Change—Observations, Causes and Impacts. Hong Kong Observatory, Special Administrative Region (SAR), Hong Kong, 6 pp. Available at http://www.weather.gov.hk/publica/reprint/r925.pdf.Google Scholar
Wu, C. 2003. Tidal Flooding and Its Research in Hong Kong (postgraduate thesis). Chinese Historical Studies, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 66 pp. Available at http://hub.hku.hk/handle/10722/30530.Google Scholar
Yeung, Y.-M. 2001. Coastal Mega-cities in Asia: Transformation, Sustainability and Management. Ocean & Coastal Management 44(5-6):319–333.Google Scholar
Yeung, Y.-M. 2010. The Further Integration of the Pearl River Delta. Environment and Urbanization Asia 1(1):13–26.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yim, W.W.S. 1996. Vulnerability and Adaptation of Hong Kong to Hazards under Climatic Change Conditions. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 92(1):181–190.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhang, Y., Xie, J., and Liu, L.. 2011. Investigating Sea-Level Change and Its Impact on Hong Kong's Coastal Environment. Annals of GIS [Geographic Information Services] 17(2):105–112.Google Scholar
Zhao, S.X., Chan, Y., and Ramón-Berjano, C.B.. 2012. Industrial Structural Changes in Hong Kong, China under One Country, Two Systems Framework. Chinese Geographical Science 22(3):302–318.CrossRefGoogle Scholar